Diffuser, tank and purging method

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a diffuser for a tank for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, wherein the diffuser is internal to the tank and designed to inject pressurized gas. An assembly comprises a tank that includes such a diffuser.A method for sweep purging such a tank includes using a purging tool.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a diffuser for a tank for pressurized gas, wherein the diffuser is internal to the tank and is configured to inject pressurized gas.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , where the diffuser is extended by at least one channel forming, with the diffuser, an angle of less than 90°. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one channel comprises at least two channels angularly equispaced around the diffuser. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least two channels are not coplanar with the diffuser so as to swirl injected gas. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one channel is 360° circular around the diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one channel is rotary around the diffuser. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly comprising:
 a tank for pressurized gas that includes the diffuser according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 7 , including a first fluidic device comprising at least one first valve configured to draw off the tank, and a second fluidic device comprising at least one second valve configured to fill the tank, wherein the second fluidic device comprises the diffuser. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first fluidic device is arranged at a first end of the tank and the second fluidic device is arranged at a second end of the tank, opposite the first end. 
     
     
         10 . A method of sweep-purging a tank according to  claim 8  by using a purging tool, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 connecting an outlet of the purging tool to the at least one second valve and connecting an inlet of the purging tool to the at least one first valve, simultaneously or in any order; 
 opening the at least one first valve and possibly opening the at least one second valve, simultaneously or in any order; 
 delivering new pressurized gas via the outlet of the purging tool and recovery of outgoing gas via the inlet of the purging tool, for a predetermined purging time; 
 closing the at least one first valve; 
 stopping a supply of the new pressurized gas when a desired gas pressure is reached in the tank; 
 optionally closing the at least one second valve. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized gas comprises hydrogen.